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strict 300 word limit please keep answers under this

Effective leaders use power to influence others.

a. Which sources of power does Jen propose to use as a leader? In your answer, explain what impact these sources of power might have on employees.

b. How else might Jen consider influencing her employees, to gain better commitment and engagement?

Case study the question refers to:

As managing director of Sams organic Kiwi Burgers, Sam Johnson is always on the lookout for potential high-quality franchisees. The business has grown from the original outlet opened in 2008, to a franchise with 17 outlets, and there are plans for further expansion.

The Kiwi Burger outlet is known as the leader in its field and no small part of its success is due to the shrewd and capable management of Sam, his small management team and his excellent supplier chain and operating systems. He is also very fussy about his franchisees, who must be proven leaders able to maintain the companys standards. Sams latest aspiring franchisee is a young woman named Jen Lahtinen, whose father has recently been made redundant and is willing to use his payout to back Jen in her bid for a Sams Organic Kiwi Burger franchise. Jens experience is not too exciting: work in a supermarket as a supervisor, summer work during the school holidays as a construction labourer, and work as an assistant in an accounting firm.

This is not an impressive record, but what strikes Sam is Jens burning desire to get ahead, ambition to own and run her own business to succeed and make something for herself, and a willingness to learn. In Jens job in the supermarket she was responsible for training and supervising 11 other checkout staff.

The job also entailed checking each register to ensure that the transaction records and money tallied. In Sams opinion, this work required commitment and maintaining extremely high standards; a true indication of Jens character- trustworthy and reliable.

When Sam telephones the store manager for a reference check, she gave a glowing account of Jens job performance. She specifically commented on how good Jen is in problem solving and decision making, how she is always ready to view problems as opportunities and not as obstacles, and how she always uses her initiative. Jen is also the leader and informal spokesperson for her local fishing club and president of her town's youth group. Sam also found that Jen organised a sports competition for local youth and actively engaged with local community and organised and coordinated resources.

At her first interview with Sam, Jen exhibits an almost contagious enthusiasm for honest work, her belief in others, and desire to succeed. Sam asks Jen why she wants to take on the responsibility of running her own small business and why she thinks she is a good leader. Jen thinks for a moment, then replies: First of all, I know I can do the job. Ive had experience in food handling in a supermarket and I know figures and bookwork.

Also, I think I know how to handle employees and use my position as a manager to influence them. I believe that people like to see their boss exercise strong control and to tell them what to do. They like a manager who is not afraid to make decisions and who makes them quickly. They like a boss who runs a tight ship, who rewards effective employees and reprimands those who don't obey. And I think all of these qualities apply to me. Im not afraid to make a decision. And I certainly dont mind giving instructions and following through with appropriate consequences.

Furthermore, when an employee isnt performing, I dont mind pointing that out and explaining how they can do better. And I dont believe in suitcase management carrying people who arent pulling their weight. She pauses, then goes on: I honestly believe that Im a born leader. Ive always wanted to tell others what to do. Even when I was little, I always wanted to lead the rest of the kids on my street and be the captain of the teams I was in at school. Sam, I know that I can be one of your most successful franchisees. Im sure that I can run one of your food centres well and build a profitable business. Im a hard worker. I dont mind long hours, hard work and tough goals. Give me a chance and I will prove to you that I can get results. Sam thanks Jen for meeting with him.

The two shake hands and Jen departs.